The 96th annual Academy Awards, held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, was a glittering celebration of the past year’s cinematic achievements. Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, who marked his fourth time leading the event, the ceremony was a mix of humor, heartfelt moments, and stunning performances, reflecting the vibrant diversity and creativity of the film industry.
One of the evening’s most talked-about topics was the phenomenon known as “Barbenheimer,” a reference to the simultaneous nominations of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer,” which collectively garnered twenty-one nominations. This unique occurrence highlighted the wide-ranging appeal and varied tastes catered to by the Academy this year.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s emotional acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actress set a moving tone early in the ceremony. Her performance, along with those of other winners such as Christopher Nolan for Best Director and Best Picture for “Oppenheimer,” Cillian Murphy for Best Actor, and Emma Stone for Best Actress, underscored the depth of talent present in modern cinema.
In a night full of surprises and memorable moments, John Cena’s unconventional presentation for Best Costume Design and the nostalgic “Beetlejuice” reunion between Michael Keaton and Catherine O’Hara provided lighthearted and memorable highlights. The ceremony also included playful banter between Emily Blunt and Ryan Gosling, a captivating performance by Ryan Gosling in a dazzling hot pink suit, and touching tributes, such as Sean Ono Lennon’s heartfelt wishes to his mother, Yoko Ono, upon winning Best Animated Short Film for “War Is Over!”.
Musical performances were a significant part of the evening’s entertainment, with artists like Scott George delivering a powerful rendition of “Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People)” from “Killers of the Flower Moon,” earning a standing ovation. The performances not only showcased the songs nominated for Best Original Song but also added a dynamic layer to the ceremony’s proceedings.
This year’s Oscars also highlighted important milestones and representation within the industry. Among the notable achievements were Steven Spielberg extending his record for the most Best Picture nominations and Martin Scorsese becoming the oldest nominee for Best Director. Additionally, the nominations of openly LGBTQ+ actors and the first Native American actress nominated for an Oscar represented significant steps toward inclusivity and diversity in Hollywood.
The 2024 Academy Awards celebrated the resilience, creativity, and diversity of the film industry, providing a night of unforgettable moments and performances. As the film community looks forward to another year of storytelling and innovation, the ceremony served as a reminder of cinema’s power to bring people together, inspire change, and entertain audiences around the world.
A complete list of winners from last nights Academy Awards is as follows:
Best Picture
- Oppenheimer (Emma Thomas, Charles Roven and Christopher Nolan, Producers)
Best Directing
- Christopher Nolan (Oppenheimer)
Best Actor in a Leading Role
- Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer)
Best Actress in a Leading Role
- Emma Stone (Poor Things)
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
- Robert Downey Jr. (Oppenheimer)
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
- Da’Vine Joy Randolph (The Holdovers)
Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
- American Fiction (Written for the screen by Cord Jefferson)
Best Writing (Original Screenplay)
- Anatomy of a Fall (Screenplay by Justine Triet and Arthur Harari)
Best Animated Feature
- The Boy and the Heron (Hayao Miyazaki and Toshio Suzuki)
Best Documentary Feature Film
- 20 Days in Mariupol (Mstyslav Chernov, Michelle Mizner and Raney Aronson-Rath)
Best International Feature Film
- The Zone of Interest (United Kingdom)
Best Animated Short Film
- War Is Over! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko (Dave Mullins and Brad Booker)
Best Live-Action Short Film
- The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (Wes Anderson and Steven Rales)
Best Documentary Short Film
- The Last Repair Shop (Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers)
Best Cinematography
- Oppenheimer (Hoyte van Hoytema)
Best Costume Design
- Poor Things (Holly Waddington)
Best Makeup and Hairstyling
- Poor Things (Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier and Josh Weston)
Best Original Song
- “What Was I Made For?” from Barbie (Music and Lyric by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell)
Best Original Score
- Oppenheimer (Ludwig Göransson)
Best Production Design
- Poor Things (Production Design: James Price and Shona Heath; Set Decoration: Zsuzsa Mihalek)
Best Film Editing
- Oppenheimer (Jennifer Lame)
Best Sound
- The Zone of Interest (Tarn Willers and Johnnie Burn)
Best Visual Effects
- Godzilla: Minus One (Takashi Yamazaki, Kiyoko Shibuya, Masaki Takahashi and Tatsuji Nojima)
